The rain came early. By morning, puddles formed in the streets, and a slow drizzle threatened to drive people indoors. But the women arrived anyway, one by one, in groups, hand in hand with their children. They had not only come for celebration, they came for something far greater.
On March 8, 2025, Women’s Day at AVAG was not only about staged performances. It was about rights, about action, about dismantling the quiet, persistent inequalities that shape daily life. This year’s theme, ‘For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment - Accelerate Action for gender equality,’ was not a phrase to print on banners. It was a call to step forward. .
In a world where Women’s Day often focuses on gold sales or beauty parlor discounts, AVAG chose a different path. Health was the priority. In collaboration with the government primary health center, screenings for tuberculosis, breast cancer, and uterine cancer were offered. 200 women stood in line, not just for themselves but for their families, their futures. Because true empowerment begins with well-being.
Culture played its part, not as mere entertainment, but as a tool for awareness. Generations, mothers, daughters, grandmothers stood side by side and brought stories to life through 18 folk dances, 9 skits, and three stirring group songs. Their message was clear: resilience can be inherited, but so is the responsibility to push forward. The skits tackled real-life issues that women face daily: discrimination against childless mothers, environmental pollution, the dangers of consuming packed and junk food, child abuse, domestic violence, the role of women’s clubs in strengthening families and villages, and the critical importance of girls' education and financial savings. These performances were not just acts; they were reflections of their struggles, hopes, and the urgent need for change.
A shift in leadership added weight to the day. The outgoing presidents of the Udhayam Women’s Federation were honored, not just with words but with deep recognition of their work. They passed the torch to the newly elected committee, standing by, ready to guide. Leadership, after all, is not about titles. It is about continuity, about ensuring that no woman stands alone.
By afternoon, the rain had lifted. The central courtyard at AVAG’s premises remained packed, voices stronger, footsteps firmer. The message of the day was clear. Change is not gifted; it is claimed. Not just on Women’s Day, but every day, in every conversation, every demand, every refusal to shrink back.
Testimonial:
Tamil Selvi, Bharathaththai Women’s Club, Nesal “We have been participating in the event for about 25 years and look forward to participating each year. It is a great chance to showcase our talents and solidarity. We take time to prepare a skit each year and this year the theme was on the status of women and the need for empowering women. Many of us who participated in the drama are over 45 years old, and these activities bridge us and our families better. During the rehearsal, we help each other. It is a true joy to come to this office. This day means a lot to us, and we learn easily from each other.”